F.7: Interpret assessment data to determine the need for behavior-analytic services and/or referral to others.
Free practice questions for this part of the BCBA, with an explanation for every option.
Assessment data show that a child's nighttime crying and aggression started after a period of severe constipation and are worse on days with no bowel movement. What should the BCBA do?
- A. Tell the parents the behavior is purely behavioralThe data point to a likely medical factor, so ruling one out without evaluation is unjustified.
- B. Start an extinction procedure for the nighttime cryingExtinction would ignore possible pain and could be harmful if a medical condition is involved.
- C. Recommend a dietary supplementRecommending supplements is outside behavior-analytic scope.
- D. Refer the family to the child's physician to evaluate the possible medical cause while continuing behavioral assessment as appropriateCorrect. When data suggest a medical contributor, behavior analysts refer the client to a qualified medical provider.
During a feeding assessment, a BCBA sees a child cough and gag repeatedly while swallowing liquids, and the child's breathing sounds wet afterward. What is the most appropriate action?
- A. Thicken the liquids based on the BCBA's own judgmentChanging liquid consistency is a clinical decision for qualified medical or feeding professionals.
- B. Refer the child to a qualified professional, such as a physician or speech-language pathologist, for a swallowing evaluation before behavioral feeding interventionCorrect. These signs suggest a possible swallowing problem that requires evaluation outside behavior-analytic scope.
- C. Record the gagging as escape-maintained behaviorCalling the gagging escape-maintained without a medical evaluation ignores signs of physiological risk.
- D. Start a demand-fading procedure to increase how much liquid the child drinksIncreasing liquid intake despite signs of aspiration could put the child in danger.
A teacher refers a 2nd grader for 'constantly being out of his seat.' The BCBA records the target student and two classmates the teacher says behave typically. All three leave their seats at similar rates. What is the most reasonable interpretation?
- A. The student needs an individual behavior intervention plan right awayThe student's behavior matches his peers', so the data do not support singling him out.
- B. Individual intervention may not be needed. The BCBA should discuss classroom expectations or class-wide supports with the teacherCorrect. Comparing the student with peers suggests the referral may reflect expectations rather than an individual problem, so the response should fit that.
- C. All three students should get individual behavior plansSimilar rates across typical peers do not justify individual plans for each student.
- D. The data should be thrown out because peers were includedComparing with peers is a valid way to judge whether behavior change is needed.